More Than Just “Seen” : Supporting and Safeguarding the LGBTQIA+ Community

Written By: Leslie Wells

The barriers between adequate healthcare, resources, community support and our LGBTQIA+ community members remain present and detrimental in 2024. Hope and Healing recognizes the negative and sometimes fatal consequences that these barriers are making on the health and well being of LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifically among younger generations.

Key findings from The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health include the following statistics: 

— 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year — including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. 

— More than 1 in 10 (12%) LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year.

— 50% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.

— More than half (54%) of transgender and nonbinary young people found their school to be gender-affirming, and those who did reported lower rates of attempting suicide.

— LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities.

These statistics paint a clear depiction of how critical an increase in support and resources remains. In an effort to reinforce a sense of hope and healing for the members of our LGBTQIA+ community, we have assembled the following resources that may increase the likelihood of receiving proper care and support:

PFLAG Southern Maryland—

PFLAG offers support, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ and their loved ones, including faith-based support, support for military families with LGBTQIA+ children and teens, and more. 

https://www.pflagsomd.org/

The Trevor Project—

Read blogs about topics such as the complexities of lesbian visibility, the trans/non-binary umbrella, and how to have safe, and supportive discussions about suicide with our LGBTQIA+ loved ones.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Lighthouse—

Lighthouse publishes original content on a weekly basis from top LGBTQIA+ doctors and therapists. Subscribe to their newsletter for regular updates, or utilize the website to search for primary care, therapists, psychiatrists, and more health care providers specializing in LGBTQIA+ health issues. 

https://www.lighthouse.lgbt/

National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center— 

Read tips for coming out and communicating clearly with health care providers regarding health issues related to or affected by sexual orientation. 

https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/publication/dadt-lqbtq-youth/

Please share these resources freely and often. We witness how small efforts can sometimes make the greatest differences on a daily basis, and believe that everyone is worthy of health, hope, and healing.

Balancing Summer Celebrations and Nutrition

By: Tracy Pritchard (MS, CNS, LDN)

As the warmer weather moves in, many are looking forward to summer celebrations. This may include graduation parties, weddings, BBQs, and other social events such as grilling out with friends. Sunny days often seem like a mini vacation and it’s a wonderful time to catch up with friends and family. Often times as our schedules relax a bit so do our nutrition habits. This is no surprise since we all know traditional summer fare often includes hot dogs and burgers, mayonnaise laden dishes, alcoholic or sugary drinks, and ice cream.

Perhaps we can balance celebrations and indulgences with nutrient dense choices that support our health goals. Each person has to decide how they want to balance celebrations and quality nutrition. This is a great opportunity to avoid an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to following a nutrition plan. If you know your friends will be enjoying s’mores by a campfire one evening, you can prepare accordingly instead of trying to juggle temptation and social pressures. Each of us may choose a different approach to this and choose strategies like having a balanced dinner before attending the party, skipping alcohol in favor of a smore, or perhaps sharing a smore with a friend.

One way is to take the focus off of the food and place it on relaxation and time outdoors with friends and family. The same mindful eating principles that are helpful through all the winter holidays apply here as well as we enter a season of parties, picnics, and potlucks:

*Do not arrive at an event starving, you will be more likely to indulge. Have a healthy snack prior to arriving to help you make more mindful choices. Choose snacks with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied. Some simple choices may include mixed nuts, vegetables with guacamole or hummus, Greek yogurt with berries, or apple slices with peanut butter. Produce with a high water content such as berries, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery and bell peppers will serve as a healthy snack that will also contribute to staying hydrated.

*When there are a lot of options, choose your favorites and balance your plate with vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Stay mindful of portion sizes.

*Savor your food and slow down. Give yourself time to enjoy the flavors and aromas. Be aware of distractions and try not to eat mindlessly.

When you think about your favorite picnic dishes, get creative to renovate them with a healthy spin. Have an open mind as you swap out mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt, soft drinks for sparking water, or cookies for frozen fruit pops. Try some refreshing watermelon or some frozen grapes to satisfy your sweet tooth. You may also choose to experiment with some new recipes so you can share something that you would also like to eat at a get together. It is very likely that others will appreciate your thoughtful and nutritious contribution. If you need some inspiration check out your local farmers market for some fresh produce and find a new recipe to try. Think about using whole foods to bring some color, nutrients and balance to your summer celebrations.

Tips to enjoy gatherings:

· Replace foods high in sugar, salt, and fat with 100% whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and seafood. Heavy and greasy foods can weigh you down and make you feel sluggish in the heat. One example would be swapping out hot dogs and hamburgers for chicken thighs or turkey burgers.

· Throw some fruit and vegetables on the grill. Fruit and veggie trays are always a great option, and you can even take it up a notch by grilling asparagus and veggie kabobs or peaches and pineapple on the grill.

· Include physical activity – this may include playing corn hole, spike ball, setting up a scavenger hunt or just going for a walk after the meal.

· Stay hydrated – include water instead of juice sodas, juices, and alcoholic beverages. Caffeinated drinks can lead to hydration and are often high in sugar and calories. Try alternating alcoholic beverages and/or caffeinated drinks with water. In addition, try grabbing water when you feel hungry. Often times we think we are hungry but we are actually thirsty. Consuming enough water may curb your hunger and have you eating less. You can make water more fun by adding sliced fruit or fresh herbs to a pitcher of water, or try using frozen fruit instead of ice to flavor and cool plain water.

· Remember to keep food safe – use the four food principles: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Be sure to wash your hands before handling food and sanitize food preparation surfaces. Next, be sure to keep uncooked meat, poultry and seafood separate from cooked foods and fresh produce. Use different cutting boards, plates, and utensils for cooked and uncooked foods. Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked thoroughly.

Summer provides a wonderful opportunity to be with our friends and family outdoors while making memories. Use some of the tips above to make your summer get togethers not just happy but also healthy!

Featured Recipe

carrot apple slaw with cranberries

From Rebecca Katz Kitchen

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup very thinly sliced red onion
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
8 ounces carrots, peeled and thinly sliced into 1/4-inch strips
1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced into 1/4-inch strips
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon slivered almonds, toasted

Instructions:

Put the cranberries, onion, 1 tablespoon of the orange juice, and the lemon juice in a small bowl and stir to combine. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the juices to penetrate the cranberries and onion.

Put the carrots, apple, mint, salt, cranberry mixture, and remaining 2 tablespoons of orange juice, and salt in a large bowl and toss gently to combine. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss again. Scatter the almonds over the top.

Children’s Mental Health: Overcoming Stigma and Empowering Change

By: Leslie Wells

As adults, it’s common to downplay, dismiss, or invalidate the many obstacles faced by children and teenagers. Despite our best intentions, it’s been a while since we’ve worn their shoes, and witnessed the world from a young person’s point of view. Sometimes, adults may minimize the issues our children are facing because our “adult” perspective can make our “adult” problems seem so much greater by comparison. It’s important to remember, however, that the way a child or teenager experiences challenges is directly proportional to their age, health, coping skills, and support systems. Unfortunately, even the most basic needs of many children go unmet every day, and in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on the stigma of mental health, and how breaking it can make all of the difference for our future generations. 

According to Convoy of Hope, “in 2021, more than 9 million children in the United States lived in food-insecure households – homes where access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources.” Child hunger not only impacts our children on a day-to-day basis, but in the long-term, “children facing hunger are more likely to repeat a grade, have lower math scores, and not graduate from high school.”

Furthermore, the prevalence of child hunger is among many challenges that have been exacerbated as a result of the recent COVID-19 health crisis. 

According to the American Psychological Association, “across the United States, more than 200,000 children lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID-19. In the face of those losses, families had to curtail mourning rituals and goodbye traditions because of social distancing requirements and other public health measures. Many children are still grieving, sometimes while facing added challenges such as moving to a different home or transferring to a new school with unfamiliar peers.”

“The CDC also reports that during the pandemic, 29% of U.S. high school students had a parent or caregiver who lost their job, 55% were emotionally abused by a parent or caregiver, and 11% were physically abused.” Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey—United States, January–June 2021, CDC)

While there is a distinct correlation between these statistics and the recent COVID-19 crisis, the issues affecting our youngster’s mental health don’t start or end there. The World Health Organization reports, “one in six school-aged children experiences cyberbullying.” 

Many adults can likely recall a time that we experienced and/or witnessed bullying on the playground or in a classroom, however, it’s reasonable to assume that the anonymity and unsupervised spaces offered by social media make these situations substantially more dangerous.

The aforementioned handful of hardships our children are expected to handle are highly concerning, and yet, they barely scratch the surface. So, in addition to increasing our awareness, what can adults do to help safe-guard the mental health of children and teens? 

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, “your child is likely to pick up on your healthy and unhealthy habits, so try to start adding more healthy habits to your family’s daily routine. These include getting enough sleep and exercise, choosing healthy foods and drinks, and reducing and managing stress. These habits are important for physical and mental health.”

In addition to demonstrating and making healthy habits available to children, it’s important to open up lines of communication, especially about difficult or “taboo” topics. Some topics may be uncomfortable to discuss with a child, however, becoming a safe person with whom they share thoughts and experiences can be one of the most preventative mental-health measures of all. In many of these instances, the adult may not do much of the talking, and listening (with the intention to understand, and not necessarily approve or agree) can be just as, if not more important. 

Some other measures you may take to help your child maintain their mental health include:

-limiting screen time

-communicating with teachers/coaches/other adults with whom your child spends time

-meeting and becoming familiar with your child’s friends 

-encouraging/engaging in the activities your child enjoys

-remembering to praise and acknowledge your child often for how much they’re doing well

-reminding your child that they are loved and supported, especially in times of conflict or dispute

-scheduling quality time with your child during which your attention is undivided 

-asking open ended questions that get your child sharing more details about their everyday experiences

…and last but not least…

-making a trip to visit your local therapist, counselor, or mental health provider can empower your child to overcome the stigma of mental health from a young age, and gain access to the specific support they need and deserve. 

For more information about therapy for children/teens in Southern, MD, visit:

https://www.hopehealingtherapy.com 

Sources:

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/27-03-2024-one-in-six-school-aged-children-experiences-cyberbullying--finds-new-who-europe-study

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/01/trends-improving-youth-mental-health

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/development/mental-health-and-your-child-or-teen-what-to-watch-for-and-how-to-help/